History of Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
Venkateswara Temple is an important Vaishnavite temple situated in the hill town of Tirumala in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu, who is believed to be appeared here to save mankind from the trials and troubles of Kali Yuga. The temple is situated at a height of 853 metres on Tirumala Hills which are part of Seshachalam Hills and is constructed in Dravidian Architectural Style.
Medieval history
The first recorded endowment was made by Pallava queen Samavai in the year 966 CE. She donated many jewels and two parcels of land (one 10 acres and other 13 acres) and ordered to use the revenues generated from that land to be used for the celebration of major festivals in the temple.[1] The Pallava dynasty (9th century), the Chola dynasty (10th century), and Vijayanagara pradhans (14th and 15th centuries) were committed devotees of Lord Venkateswara. The temple gained most of its current wealth and size under the Vijayanagara Empire, with the donation of diamonds and gold.[2] In 1517, Vijayanagara Emperor Krishnadevaraya, on one of his many visits to the temple, donated gold and jewels, enabling the Ananda Nilayam (inner shrine) roofing to be gilded. After the decline of Vijayanagara Empire, leaders from states such as the Kingdom of Mysore and the Gadwal Samsthanam worshiped as pilgrims and gave ornaments and valuables to the temple. Maratha general Raghoji I Bhonsle (died 1755) visited the temple and set up a permanent administration for the conduct of worship in the temple.[3]
Modern history
After the dusk of Vijayanagara Empire, the temple went into the hands of Golconda in July 1656 and then it was under the French for a short period of time and under Nawab of Carnatic till 1801 CE.
During 15th Century
In 1417 AD, Madhavadasar, a resident of chandragiri, constructed Tirumamani mandapam which is present in front of bangaru vakili of the garbhagriha.[4]
During 16th Century
In 1535 AD, Pedda Tirumalacharya renovated Temple Tank and Adivaraha shrine.[4]
During 19th Century
With the advent of British during the early 19th century, the management of the temple passed to hands of East India Company, who accorded special status to temple and avoided interference in temple activities.[5] Madras government passed Regulation seven of 1817, which passed the temple to Board of Revenue through collector of North Arcot District.[5] In 1821, Bruce of England had drawn rules for the management of Temple which is referred to as Bruce's Code.[5]
In 1843 the East India Company transferred the Administration of Temple along with other Temples in Tirupati to Mahants of Hathiramji Muth, who acted as Vicaranakartas.
During 20th Century
The Temple was under the rule of Mahants for six generations until 1933 when Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams was formed as a result of the TTD Act in 1933.[6] The Act of 1933 was superseded by Madras Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Act of 1951.[7] Again in 1966, the temple was placed under direct control of Andhra pradesh State Endowments Department, with Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments act.[7] In 1979, act of 1966 was rolled back with new Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams act, where temple administration was vested to a committee consisting of Executive officer, Chairman and two other members nominated by Government of Andhra Pradesh.[7]
Epigraphical records
This Temple bears on its walls several inscriptions which are of historical, cultural and linguistic importance. The number of inscriptions on the Hill Temple and in the temples of Lower Tirupati and Tiruchanur exceed one thousand. There is evidence to suggest that many early inscriptions on the walls of the temples have disappeared beyond recovery. As many as 640 inscriptions are found engraved on the walls of the temple. They are published by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams along with the inscriptions found in other related temples in and around Tirupati. All the inscriptions are in Kannada, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu [8]
Additionally, in the temple, there is a unique collection of about 3000 copper plates on which the Telugu Sankirtanas of Tallapaka Annamacharya and his descendants are inscribed. This collection forms a valuable source of material for a historical linguist in Telugu apart from its importance to musicologists.
Under the patronage of almost all important dynasties of South India, this sacred Temple of Tirumala enjoyed full benefits and glory. The Pallavas, the Cholas, the Pandyas, Kadavarayas, Yadavarayas, Telugu Cholas, Telugu Pallavas, Vijayanagara kings (Sangama, Saluva and Tuluva lines) have left the marks of their patronage and endowments on the walls of the temples of Tirumala and Tirupati.[9]
References
- Feminism and World Religions 1999, p. 48.
- Dr. N.Ramesan (1981). The Tirumala Temple. Tirumala: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.
- "Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams: Temple History". Archived from the original on 12 April 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2011.
- Temples in and Around Tirupati.
- V.K, Bhaskara Rao (1992). Organisational and Financial Management of Religious Institutions: With Special Reference to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). Deep and Deep Publications. pp. 52, 53. ISBN 81-7100-441-5.
- Koutha, Nirmala Kumari (1 January 1998). History of the Hindu Religious Endowments in Andhra Pradesh. Northern Book Centre. p. 124. ISBN 81-7211-085-5.
- Koutha, Nirmala Kumari (1 January 1998). History of the Hindu Religious Endowments in Andhra Pradesh. Northern Book Centre. p. 136. ISBN 81-7211-085-5.
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 22 October 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "Tirumala Tirupati Devastanamulu". Tirumala.org. Archived from the original on 6 August 2002. Retrieved 17 June 2013.